PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- PGA Professionals Michael Packard of Hebron, Conn., Carol Pence of El Cerrito, Calif., and Kevin Walls of Pontotoc, Miss., have been named the first PGA Member Support Specialists, as part of a PGA of America pilot program designed to assist its members and apprentices in taking advantage of the many industry-leading programs that it offers.

The three officially began their new positions on Feb. 4, and will initially assist PGA Professionals in the New England, Northern California and Gulf States/Dixie PGA Sections.

“The PGA offers a number of great programs to support its member professionals, but with the many demands placed upon them at their facilities, many are not as aware of these programs as they should be,” said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. “Placing these three qualified PGA Professionals in the roles of PGA Member Support Specialist will allow us to present the features and benefits of these programs in a personalized, face-to-face manner to our grassroots PGA Professionals. I’m excited about the possibilities having these specialists in the field present, and anticipating that this pilot program will expand to a majority of our 41 Sections within a few years.”

Packard, a former director of tournaments and player development for the Connecticut PGA Section, as well as program manager for the First Tee of Connecticut, has been named the PGA Member Support Specialist for the New England PGA Section.
Pence, who is both a PGA and LPGA Professional and has served for the past four years as the director of professional development for the Northern California PGA Section, will remain with the Section in her new position.

Walls, the former director of golf sales & marketing for the Links at Cottonwood in Tunica Resorts, Miss., will serve both the Gulf States and Dixie PGA Sections.

The PGA Member Support Specialists will focus on elevating the awareness of PGA Professionals in the field of the various programs the Association offers, chiefly within the four “building blocks” of member programs: education, employment, marketing and research.

An initial goal of each Support Specialist will be to increase the level of member participation in each corresponding Section in the monthly reporting of facility data to PerformanceTrak, The PGA’s leading rounds played and revenue reporting service in association with the National Golf Course Owner’s Association.

Similar goals will likely be set for increasing PGA Professional participation in and utilization of Play Golf America promotions, CareerLinks and educational offerings such as the PGA Certified Professional Program.

In addition to promoting Association programs to PGA Professionals, the Member Support Specialists also are expected to make contact with owners of non-PGA staffed facilities in their regions and use the programs to promote to them that hiring a PGA Professional not only brings a highly-trained, talented golf professional into their business, but also the support of the entire PGA of America and its many initiatives designed to grow the game and business of golf.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

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